How to Pick the Right Real Estate Agent
Once you've decided on your best place to live in North Carolina or South Carolina it is now time to pick the right real estate agent. Taking your time and picking the right real estate agent can make or break the buying and selling process.
First and foremost, you want to find an agent you can trust and rely on.
Sometimes when meeting an agent for the first time, they’ll want you to sign an agreement to work with them.
Don’t sign anything at the first meeting!
The agreement is completely legitimate and necessary to protect the agent as well as you, but you wouldn’t agree to marry someone on the first date would you?
Instead, shop around a little. Don't be in such a rush. Take your time.
Meet a few agents and see what type of chemistry develops. Make sure they are experienced, thorough, and dependable.
If they don’t return phone calls, find someone else. Remember this is your best place to live we're talking about. You are letting a person into one of the biggest events in your life, pick someone you like, trust, and has had prior successes.
- Does the agent show up on time?
- How long has the agent been licensed?
- Is real estate their full-time job, or a part-time hobby?
- Do any of your friends have recommendations?
- Does the agent seem prepared to work for you, and understand your timetable?
- How well does the realtor know the area you are interested in? Do they live there?
A great website for helping in your decision is www.Homethinking.com
This site was started in California as a way for people to share information on real estate agents. Since its inception the site has gone nationwide, helping people everywhere make better decisions.
Information gathered about the agents includes, number of sales with prices, the difference between the advertised price and the final selling price, the average price of all the homes the agent has sold, and the number of properties the agent has listed. There is even a way for customers to comment on their relationship with the agent.
The site monitors such comments to make sure there are no unethical practices taking place. Using www.Homethinking.com links you up to hundreds of other people who have gone through the same thing you are.
Once you’ve picked an agent, let them do their job. They are professionals, and should be given a chance to work without being second guessed. With that said, do not let yourself be pressured into making an offer, increasing a bid, or accepting an offer because of your realtor’s wishes.
Make sure you do your own independent research about schools, crime rates in the area and types of crimes committed, the environmental health of the area, and the ethnicity and income levels of the area.
Visit the surrounding area, without the Realtor, during the day and night, on weekdays and weekends. If possible park your car, walk around and meet some people that court be your neighbors.
In the end, this is your decision, and you’re the one who’ll have to live with it, so take your time, do not be pressured, and keep your eyes and ears open.
© 2005-2012 Places of Value Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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About Bob Bencivenga
 Bob Bencivenga |
Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations. Bob researches the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
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